Time-dependent effects of electroacupuncture at the Ren channel on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in focal cerebral ischemia rats**☆

BACKGROUND： The onset of focal cerebral ischemia activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, regulates cell cycle, promotes cell proliferation and differentiation, and affects the normal stage and function of brain cells. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the Ren channel on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in the lateral cerebral ventricle wall of rats with focal cerebral ischemia. The effects were analyzed at different time points after intervention. DESIGN： Randomized controlled study. SETTING： Department of Anatomy, Sun Yat-Sen University. MATERIALS： A total of 60 healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing （250±10） g were provided by the Experimental Animal Center, Medical College of Sun Yat-Sen University. The animal experiment was conducted with confirmed consent by the local ethics committee. The GB6805-Ⅱ electric acupuncture apparatus was provided by Shanghai Medical Equipment High-techno Company. METHODS： The experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Sun Yat-Sen University, from February to July 2007. All experimental animals were randomly divided into the following groups： normal group （n = 6）, sham operation group （n = 18）, model group （n = 18）, and electroacupuncture group （n = 18）. Middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） was performed in the model group and electroacupuncture group. Zea Longa＇s grading standard was used to assess neurological impairment after reperfusion; animals whose grades were between l and 4 were included in this study. The normal control group was not exposed to MCAO. In sham operation animals, the right common carotid artery （CCA） was isolated, and the external carotid artery （ECA） was damaged, but no embolism was induced. The electroacupuncture group was given acupuncture on the second day after surgery. The acupoint locations were chosen according to Experimental Acupuncture （People＇s Publishing House; 1997; First Edition）. The Chengjiang, Qihai, and     

Acupuncture at the “Huatuojiaji” point affects nerve root regional interleukin-1 level in a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression

BACKGROUND：It has been shown that interleukin-1 （IL-1） may cause inflammatory reactions, which stimulate the nerve root of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and leads to pain. Whether the clinical curative effects of acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar and leg pain are linked to an inhibition of local IL-1 secretion is unknown. OBJECTIVE： To assess the influence of acupuncture on IL-1, this study was designed to verify the effects of acupuncture at the ＂Huatuojiaji （Extra）＂ point on the nerve root in a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression, compared with administration of meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, molecular biology experiment, performed at the Experimental Center, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University between September 2005 and April 2006. MATERIALS： Forty healthy adult Sprague Dawley rats of either gender were included in this study. The rats were randomly and evenly divided into the following four groups： normal control, model, acupuncture and meloxicam groups. Lumbar nerve root compression was induced in rats in the model, acupuncture, and meloxicam groups by inserting a specially made silicon rubber slice at the juncture of the L5 nerve root and the dural sac. The acupuncture needle （pattern number N3030, 30#, 1.5 inch） was purchased from Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory, China. IL-1 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kit was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., USA. METHODS： The acupuncture group was acupunctured at the ＂Huatuojiaji＂ point, which is lateral to the compressed L5-6 nerve root, with an acupuncture depth of 0.5 cm. There were two treatment courses, each of involved seven 20-minute acupuncture sessions, one session a day. The meloxicam group was administered intragastrically 3.75 mg/kg meloxicam （5 mg meloxicam /10 mL physiological saline）. Rats in the normal control group and model group received an intragast     

Altered protein markers related to neural plasticity and motor function following electro-acupuncture treatment in a rat model of ischemic-hypoxic brain injury *☆

BACKGROUND：Previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture treatment could ameliorate impaired motor function,and these positive effects might be due to neural plasticity.OBJECTIVE：Myelin basic protein（MBP）,microtubule-associated protein 2（MAP2）,growth-associated protein-43（GAP-43）,and synaptophysin（SYN） were selected as markers of neural remodeling,and expression of these markers was evaluated with regard to altered motor function following brain injury and acupuncture treatment.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：A completely randomized experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Peking University First Hospital from November 2006 to May 2007.MATERIALS：Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rat pups,aged 7 days,were selected for the present experiment.The left common carotid artery was ligated to establish a rat model of ischemic-hypoxic brain injury.METHODS：All animals were randomly divided into three groups：sham operation,model,and electro-acupuncture treatment,with 8 rats in each group.Rats in the model and electro-acupuncture treatment group underwent establishment of ischemic-hypoxic brain injury.Upon model established,rats underwent hypobaric oxygen intervention for 24 hours.Only the left common carotid artery was exposed in rats of the sham operation group,without model establishment or oxygen intervention.The rats in the electro-acupuncture treatment group were treated with electro-acupuncture.One acupuncture needle electrode was inserted into the subcutaneous layer at the Baihui and Dazhui acupoint.The stimulation condition of the electro-acupuncture simulator was set to an amplitude-modulated wave of 0-100% and alternative frequency of 100 cycles/second,as well as frequency-modulated wave of 2-100 Hz and an alternative frequency of 3 cycles/second.Maximal current through the two electrodes was limited to 3-5 mA.The stimulation lasted for 30 minutes per day for 2 weeks.Rats in the sham operation and model groups were not treated with electro-acupuncture,but only fixed to the table for     

Up-regulation and time course of protein kinase C immunoreactivity during persistent inflammation of the rat spinal cord☆

BACKGROUND： It has been reported that activation and/or translocation of protein kinase C （PKC） is related to hyperalgesia, and changes in PKC expression in the dorsal horn of spinal cord take place during inflammatory pain. OBJECTIVE： To observe PKC changes in the dorsal horn of spinal cord using immunohistochemistry and to measure the time-course during persistent pain produced by chemical stimulation with a right hind-paw injection of formalin. DESIGN： Randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING： Institute of Basic Medical Science, Hebei Medical University MATERIALS： The present experiment was performed at the Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Hebei Medical University between September 2000 and June 2002. Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 260-280 g, irrespective of gender, were provided by the Center of Animal Experimentation at Hebei Medical University. PKC antibody was provided by Sigma, USA. Immunohistochemistry kits were purchased from Zhongshan Biotechnology Company, Beijing. HPIAS-1000 definition multicolor system was provided by Qianping Wuxiang Project Company of Tongji Medical University. Animal use during experimentation was consistent with the standards of Animal Ethics Committee. METHODS： Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into control （n = 6） and experimental groups （n = 36）. Experimental rats were given an intracutaneous injection of 5% formalin into the planta surface of the right hind-paw. Animals with inflammatory pain were anesthetized and sacrificed to obtain the L5 spinal region at 1, 3, 12 hours, 1, 3, and 7 days after formalin treatment, with 6 rats in each time group. The spinal cords at the L5 region were collected from the control group following sodium chloride injections into the planta surface of the right hind-paw, identical to the experimental group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Pain reaction of experimental rats after formalin treatment. PKC-positive neurons, and distribution of PKC-immunoreactive particles, i     

Effect of Panaxtriol Saponins on synaptophysin and postsynaptic density-95 expression at different periods of cerebral infarction*☆

BACKGROUND： The change in expression of synaptophysin （Syp） and postsynaptic density-95 （PSD-95） alters after cerebral infarction, and the plasticity of synapses contributes greatly to nerve function recovery. Chinese medicinal substances may play an important role in the expression of Syp and PSD-95. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of Panaxtriol Saponins （PTS）, an active component in Sanqi tongshu capsules, on the expression of Syp and PSD-95 after cerebral infarction at different time points in rats, so as to examine the cerebral function remodeling mechanism. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized and controlled observation which was performed in Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January to March, 2007. MATERIALS： Twenty-six healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish middle cerebral artery occlusion based on the Longa method. Sanqi tongshu capsules （containing 100 mg PTS per tablet） were provided by the Chengdu Huashen Group and nimodipine tablets （30 mg） by Tianjin Zhongyang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. METHODS： Twenty-six rats were randomly divided into an operation group （n = 21 ） and a control group （n = 5）. The operation group underwent the EZ Longa procedure to make the middle cerebral artery occlusion model. After surgery rats were randomly divided into a model group, a PTS group and a nimodipine group, with seven rats in each group. Rats were intragastrically administrated with saline （2 mL/d） in the model group, with Sanqi tongshu capsule （5.4 mg/100 g/d） in the PTS group, and with nimodipine （1.73 mg/100 g/d） in the nimodipine group. Rats in the control group did not undergo model establishment and drug administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The expressions of Syp and PSD-95 were measured by immunohistochemical and image analysis at days 3, 7 and 28 after the operation. RESULTS： The expression of Syp and PSD-95 in the operation group was significantly lower than in the control group at days 3, 7     

Establishment and evaluation of a rat model of complete transected spinal cord injury*☆

BACKGROUND： The establishment of a rat model of complete transected spinal cord injury lacks technological specifications. The current models lack concordance and reliability, and the death rate of the experimental animals is high. Therefore, there is a great need for a reliable model to apply clinical applications of therapy. OBJECTIVE： To construct a rat model of complete transected spinal cord injury characterized by stability, reproducibility, and a high animal survival rate. DESIGN： Completely randomized controlled study. SETTING： Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. MATERIALS： Fifty-five healthy specific pathogen free grade adult female Sprague Dawley rats were provided by the Experimental Animal Department, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University. Olympus BX51 imaging collecting analytic system was provided by Olympus Company, Japan; and SEN-7203 Nihon-Kohden electrical stimulator by Nihon Kohden, Japan. METHODS： This study was performed at the Laboratory of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from April to June 2006. Experimental grouping： 55 rats were randomly divided into model group （n = 40） and sham surgery group （n = 15）. In the model group, a self-made sliver hook was passed through the ventral side to support the spinal cord at the T12 segment and to shear it off. A complete transected spinal cord, 2 mm in length, was resected. In the sham surgery group, the spinal cord was identically exposed. The dura mater of the spinal cord was cut open, but the spinal cord was not damaged. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Histopathological changes after spinal cord injury at L2 segment were observed subsequent to hematoxylin and eosin staining under optical microscopy. Olympus BX51 imaging collecting analytic system was used to count spinal cord ventral horn neurons. Motor function of rat hindlimb was evaluated with the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan （BBB） scale. Paraplegia was evaluated as 0 point, and complete normality as     

Changes in corticocerebral morphology in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury following ＂Xingnao Kaiqiao＂ acupuncture

BACKGROUND： Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury has been shown to induce inflammatory reactions, including white blood cell activation and adhesion molecule expression. These reactions often lead to aggravated neuronal injury. OBJECTIVE： To observe corticocerebral pathology, as well as ultrastructural changes, in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through optical and electron microscopy, and to investigate interventional effects of ＂Xingnao Kaiqiao＂ acupuncture （a brain-activating and orifice-opening acupuncture method）. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, neuropathology, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between April and June 2004. MATERIALS： A total of 50 healthy, male, Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups, with 10 rats per group： control, sham-operated, model, non-acupoint, and ＂Xingnao Kaiqiao ＂. Transmission electron microscope （TEM 400ST） was provided by Philips, Netherlands. Electro-acupuncture treatment apparatus （KWD-8082） was provided by Changzhou Wujin Great Wall Medical Instrument, China. METHODS： Focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in the model, non-acupoint, and ＂Xingnao Kaiqiao＂ groups. Rats from the control group did not undergo any treatment. The sham-operated group received identical experimental procedures as the model group, except that the nylon suture was not inserted into the right internal carotid artery. At 1, 3, 6, and 12 hours following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury induction, rats from the Xingnao Kaiqiao group underwent 1-minute acupuncture at the bilateral ＂Neiguan＂ （PC 6） acupoint, using a reducing method of lifting-thrusting and twirling-rotating. Subsequently, the rats were subjected to acupuncture at the ＂Renzhong＂ （DU26） acupoint 10 times by a heavy bird-pecking method. The non-acupoint group     

Effects of electro-acupuncture on Noxa and caspase-3 expression in hippocampal CA1 region of a vascular dementia rat model*★

BACKGROUND：Noxa, a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family, has been shown to induce the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis and to mediate hypoxic cell death in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. This suggests that Noxa could participate in apoptosis during vascular dementia （VD）. OBJECTIVE： To detect Noxa and caspase-3 expression after electro-acupuncture in VD rats to further validate the mechanism of electro-acupuncture-induced effects in the treatment of VD. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled study was performed at the Center for the Neurobiology of Fujian Medical University between January 2006 and March 2007. MATERIALS： A total of forty adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats were included in this study. The following equipment was used： confocal laser scanning microscope （Sp5, Leica, Germany）, water maze （Bejing Suntendy Science and Technology Co., Ltd., China）, and SDZ-II electronic acupuncture treatment instruments （Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory, China）. METHODS： Thirty-eight rats with sufficient learning and memory abilities were selected by Morris water maze criteria. Twelve rats received sham-surgery; the remaining 26 rats were used to establish a VD model by bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries. The rats that survived the occlusion procedure were randomly assigned into an electro-acupuncture group （n = 11） and a VD model group （n = 12）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Neuropathological changes were observed with hematoxylin-eosin staining of the hippocampus and expression of Noxa and caspase-3 in the hippocampal CA1 region was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscope following immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS： Expressions of Noxa and caspase-3 in the electro-acupuncture group and sham-operated group were less than in the VD model group （P 〈 0.01）. Electro-acupuncture reduced the amount of apoptotic neurons in hippocampal CA1 area of rats with VD. The average latency in the Morris water maze test was significantly shorter     

Acute pathological changes of facial nucleus and expressions of postsynaptic density protein-95 following facial nerve injury of varying severity★ A semi-quantitative analysis

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that postsynaptic density protein-95 （PSD-95） is widely distributed in the central nervous system and is related to the development of the CNS and sensory signal transmission as well as acute or chronic nerve cell death following ischemic brain injury. OBJECTIVE： To semi-quantitatively determine the pathological changes of apoptotic facial neurons and the expression of PSD-95 in the facial nucleus following facial nerve injury of varying extents using immunohistochemical staining methods. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled animal experiments were performed in the Ultrasonic Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing University of Medical Sciences from September to December 2007. MATERIALS： Sixty-five healthy, adult, Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats, both male and female, were used for this study. Rabbit anti-rat PSD-95 polyclonal antibody was purchased from Beijing Biosynthesis Biotechnology Co., Ltd. METHODS： SD rats were randomly assigned into a control group with five rats and three injured groups with 20 rats per group. Exposure, clamp and cut for bilateral facial nerve trunks were performed in the rats of the injury groups, and no injury was inflicted on the rats of the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES; The brainstems of all the rats were excised on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 post injury, and then the facial nuclei were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe any pathological changes due to apoptosis in facial neurons. PSD-95 expression in facial nuclei was detected by immunohistochemistry and the number of PSD-95 positive cells was counted under a light microscope. RESULTS： The expression of PSD-95 in the facial nucleus and morphology of the facial neuron within the exposure group had no obvious changes at various points in time tested （P 〉 0.05）. However, the expressions of PSD-95 in the facial nucleus of the clamp group and cut group increased on day 1 post injury （P 〈 0.05）, and showed further increase on d     

温针灸对腰神经根受压大鼠模型一氧化氮合酶和降钙素相关基因肽的影响

BACKGROUND： Varying degrees of inflammatory responses occur during lumbar nerve root compression. Studies have shown that nitric oxide synthase （NOS） and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） are involved in secondary disc inflammation. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of warm acupuncture on the ultrastructure of inflammatory mediators in a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression, including NOS and CGRP contents. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled study, with molecular biological analysis, was performed at the Experimental Center, Sixth People＇s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, between September 2006 and April 2007. MATERIALS： Acupuncture needles and refined Moxa grains were purchased from Shanghai Taicheng Technology Development Co., Ltd., China; Mobic tablets were purchased from Shanghai Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., China; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kits for NOS and CGRP were purchased from ADL Biotechnology, Inc., USA. METHODS： A total of 50, healthy, adult Sprague-Dawley rats, were randomly divided into five groups normal, model, warm acupuncture, acupuncture, and drug, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the four groups, excluding the normal group, were used to establish models of lumbar nerve root compression. After 3 days, Jiaji points were set using reinforcing-reducing manipulation in the warm acupuncture group. Moxa grains were burned on each needle, with 2 grains each daily. The acupuncture group was the same as the warm acupuncture group, with the exception of non-moxibustion. Mobic suspension （3.75 mg/kg） was used in the oral drug group, once a day. Treatment of each group lasted for 14 consecutive days. Modeling and medication were not performed in the normal group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The ultrastructure of damaged nerve roots was observed with transmission electron microscopy; NOS and CGRP contents were measured using ELISA. RESULTS： The changes of the radicular ultramicrostructure were characterized by Wallerian degeneration; nerve fibers were clearly demyelinated; axons collapsed or degenerated; outer Schwann cell cytoplasm was swollen and its nucleus was compacted. Compared with the normal group, NOS and CGRP contents in the nerve root compression zone in the model group were significantly increased （P 〈 0.01）. Nerve root edema was improved in the drug, acupuncture and the warm acupuncture groups over the model group. NOS and CGRP expressions were also decreased with the warm acupuncture group having the lowest concentration （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： In comparison to the known effects of Mobic drug and acupuncture treatments, the warm acupuncture significantly decreased NOS and CGRP expression which helped improve the ultrastructure of the compressed nerve root.     

艾炷灸的抗衰老效应：氧自由基清除剂的补充手段

寻求氧自由基清除剂的补充手段是延缓脑衰老的首要方法。我们应用艾炷灸干预D-半乳糖致衰老小鼠的“足三里、悬钟”及“百会、关元”两组穴位,发现艾灸可提高衰老小鼠脑组织的总超氧化歧化酶和铜锌超氧化歧化酶的活性,改善大脑皮质和海马CA3区神经元的形态,提高大脑皮质神经元密度,以及及学习记忆能力,其作用效果与电针“足三里、悬钟”相当,但优于尼莫地平。     

针刺及艾灸足三里穴缓解大鼠运动疲劳作用的比较

背景：已有诸多实验证实针灸足三里穴能够有效地缓解运动疲劳。 目的：观察毫针针刺及艾灸足三里穴(ST36)对运动疲劳大鼠的运动耐力、骨骼肌微循环及抗氧化酶活性的影响,探讨针刺及艾灸两种不同疗法缓解运动疲劳作用的差异。 设计、时间及地点：随机动物实验,于2008-06/07在华南师范大学光子中医学实验室完成。 材料：SPF级雄性成年SD大鼠24只,体质量220~260 g。 方法：SD大鼠24只,适应性游泳后被随机分为正常对照组、模型组、艾灸组及针刺组,每组6只。采用无负重游泳方式建立大鼠运动疲劳模型,艾灸组及针刺组在游泳运动的同时,分别采用毫针及艾灸刺激足三里穴,1次/d,共10 d。末次力竭运动结束后检测指标。 主要观察指标：大鼠骨骼肌微循环及线粒体内超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶的活性。 结果：实验第9天,艾灸组大鼠的运动耐力显著高于同时间点模型组的运动耐力(P < 0.05);实验第11天,艾灸组和针刺组的大鼠的运动耐力均显著高于模型组的大鼠同时间点的运动耐力(P < 0.05),艾灸组和针刺组相比差异无显著性意义 (P > 0.05)。艾灸组双侧胫骨前肌的血流灌注量均显著高于模型组(P < 0.05);针刺组腹直肌的血流灌注量显著高于模型组(P < 0.05)。艾灸组双侧胫骨前肌线粒体内的超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著高于模型组(P < 0.05); 针刺组双侧胫骨前肌线粒体内的超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著低于艾灸组(P < 0.05)。 结论：艾灸足三里穴能够有效地提高运动疲劳大鼠骨骼肌线粒体抗氧化酶活性、增加骨骼肌血流灌注,缓解外周骨骼肌的运动疲劳,提高运动耐力,其效应优于针刺足三里穴。     

Acupuncture at the Huatuojiaji point affects nerve root regional interleukin-1 level in a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression

BACKGROUND:It has been shown that interleukin-1 (IL-1) may cause inflammatory reactions, which stimulate the nerve root of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and leads to pain. Whether the clinical curative effects of acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar and leg pain are linked to an inhibition of local IL-1 secretion is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of acupuncture on IL-1, this study was designed to verify the effects of acupuncture at the Huatuojiaji (Extra) point on the n...     

脑囊虫病患者血清和脑脊液IL-6和SIL-2R的水平及其与癫痫发作的关系

目的测定脑囊虫病患者血清和脑脊液IL-6和SIL-2R水平,并探讨其与癫痫发作的关系。方法应用双抗体夹心ELISA法测定45例脑囊虫病患者和43例对照组患者血清和脑脊液IL-6利SIL-2R的水平,其中脑囊虫病组又分为癫痫组(23例)和非癫痫组(22例),分别进行了比较分析。结果脑囊虫病组血清SIL-2R水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05);而IL-6水平与对照组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。脑囊虫病组脑脊液SIL-2R和IL-6水平均较对照组低(P<0.01,P<0.05);脑囊虫病组血清SIL-2R和IL-6水平与脑脊液SIL-2R和IL-6水平均呈正相关(r=0.322,P<0.05;r=0.768,P<0.01)。脑囊虫病癫痫组血清SIL-2R和IL-6水平与非癫痫组比较均无显著性差异(P>0.05);而脑脊液SIL-2R和IL-6水平癫痫组明显高于非癫痫组(P<0.01)。结论脑囊虫病患者外周血和中枢神经系统存在免疫激活,且SIL-2R和IL-6可能参与了癫痫发生过程。     

Interleukin-1β System (Ligand, Receptor Type I, Receptor Accessory Protein and Receptor Antagonist), TNF-α, TGF-β1 and Neuropeptide Y mRNAs in Specific Brain Regions During Bacterial LPS-Induced Anorexia

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or endotoxin induces neurological manifestations including anorexia. It is proposed that LPS-induced cytokine production is involved in the generation of neurological manifestations and in neuroinflammatory/immunological responses during Gram-negative infections. For example, LPS-induced effects can be blocked or ameliorated by the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). Here, sensitive and specific RNase protection assays were used to investigate the effects of the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of LPS on mRNA levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) system components, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. The same brain region sample was analyzed with all of the antisense probes. The data show simultaneous local induction of multiple cytokine components messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) within specific brain regions in anorectic rats responding to i.c.v. administered LPS (500 ng/rat). Interleukin-1β and IL-1Ra had a similar mRNA induction profile (hypothalamus > cerebellum > hippocampus). Interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) mRNA also increased in all three brain regions examined, and the soluble form of IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1R AcP II) mRNA was induced in the hypothalamus. Tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA levels increased in the hypothalamus > hippocampus > cerebellum. Levels of membrane bound IL-1R AcP, TGF-β1, and NPY mRNAs did not change significantly in any brain region. The results suggest that: (1) endogenous up-regulation of IL-1β and TNF-α in the hypothalamus contribute to LPS-induced anorexia; and (2) the ratio IL-1Ra/IL-1β, and IL-1β ↔ TNF-α interactions may have implications for Gram-negative infections associated with high levels of LPS in the brain-cerebrospinal fluid.     

针刺对肥胖模型大鼠下丘脑瘦素受体mRNA的表达与针刺的影响： SYBR Green实时定量聚合酶链反应检测

背景：脂肪细胞合成的瘦素作用于下丘脑，引起食欲降低，能量消耗增加，导致降低体质量，减少体脂。但单纯性肥胖病患者由于瘦素抵抗导致肥胖。 目的：观察针刺对肥胖大鼠血清瘦素含量和下丘脑瘦素受体OB-Ra和OB-Rb表达的影响，探讨针灸减肥的机制。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验,于2006-10/2007-01在南京中医药大学动物实验中心完成。 材料：刚断乳的健康清洁级雄性SD大鼠90只,体质量50~70ｇ。实验过程中对动物处置符合2006年科学技术部发布的《关于善待实验动物的指导性意见》。 方法：随机挑选10只普通饲料喂养为正常组。另一组80只高脂致肥饲料喂养，将造模成功的肥胖大鼠30只随机分为肥胖模型组和针刺组，每组各15只。采用实时定量聚合酶链反应技术测定瘦素受体(OB-Ra，OB-Rb) 基因表达水平, 酶联免疫测定法测定血清中瘦素的含量。 主要观察指标：针刺治疗前后肥胖大鼠体质量、血清中瘦素的含量以及下丘脑OB-Ra与OB-Rb基因表达的变化。 结果：肥胖模型组大鼠体质量、血清瘦素水平均显著高于正常大鼠，而下丘脑OB-Rb基因表达水平均明显低于正常大鼠。针刺治疗取得良好减肥疗效的同时，针刺组大鼠血清瘦素明显回降，而下丘脑OB-Rb基因表达水平却明显升高。OB-Ra表达量3组差异无显著性意义。 结论: 针刺可改善肥胖大鼠瘦素抵抗状态以及促进下丘脑OB-Rb 基因表达可能是针刺减肥的细胞分子重要机制。     

电针干预自发性高血压大鼠主动脉丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶1及磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2蛋白的表达

背景：近年来大量临床研究表明针刺风池、太冲、曲池等穴位能有效降低血压,可用于高血压,但对其治疗的分子机制尚未阐明。 目的：观察针刺大鼠风池、太冲、曲池等穴位对丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号转导调控系统的影响,从而探讨针刺治疗高血压的分子机制。 方法：选取8月龄自发性高血压雄性Wistar大鼠14只,随机分为针刺组和模型组,每组7只;另选取同月龄正常血压雄性Wistar-Kyoto大鼠7只作为对照组。对针刺组大鼠采用电针针刺双侧风池、曲池和三阴交穴,毫针刺太溪和太冲穴。3周后采用RT-PCR方法检测各组大鼠主动脉组织丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶1 mRAN的表达,Western blot方法检测丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶1、磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2蛋白表达。 结果与结论：与对照组比较,模型组主动脉组织磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2蛋白表达水平升高,丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶1 mRNA及其蛋白表达水平降低(P < 0.01);与模型组比较,针刺组主动脉组织磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2蛋白表达水平降低,丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶1 mRNA及其蛋白表达水平升高(P < 0.05)。提示针刺治疗自发性高血压大鼠可能是通过调控丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号转导途径,增强磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2蛋白表达,降低丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶1蛋白表达,从而改善血管重塑,降低血压。     

红细胞CD58在健康施灸人群中的表达：40例变化分析*

背景：CD58是一种糖蛋白,属于免疫蛋白超家族成员,广泛表达于人体各种免疫细胞和红细胞,是红细胞调控T细胞免疫功能的重要天然免疫物质基础。 目的：通过在神阙、关元等传统保健穴上施灸,观察对健康人群红细胞CD58表达的影响。 设计、时间及地点：前后对照、调查分析。于2008-03/12在山西中医学院实验中心完成。 对象：选择山西中医学院在校健康大学生40例,男女各20例,平均年龄21.08岁。受试者均知情同意。 方法：将以熟地、山药、山茱萸等为主方的药物制成药饼置于受试者神阙、关元、足三里、脾俞、肾俞等穴施灸,隔日1次,共灸10次,进行施灸前后的对比。 主要观察指标：在施灸前、后分别进行血细胞的常规检查,流式细胞仪测定红细胞表面CD58分子的阳性百分率和平均荧光强度。 结果：施灸后红细胞、白细胞数量较施灸前显著升高(均为P < 0.01);与施灸前相比,红细胞CD58分子的阳性百分率和平均荧光强度均明显高于施灸前(均为P < 0.01)。其中,红细胞CD58荧光强度的变化尤为突出。 结论：红细胞CD58分子数量表达与艾灸密切相关,隔药饼灸增强了机体的免疫调节功能。